Signal device



April 27, 1943.

T. J. FINLEY ET AL SIGNAL DEVICE Filed July 5, 1939 Zarwmo (1500/05 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 27, 1943 UNITED stares QF E f SEGNAL DEVICE Themas 3. Finley and Edward J. Burke,

East Chicago, Ind.

This invention relates to an improved signal device which is especially adaptable for use where workmen or equipment are employed on or near highways or thoroughfares. However, it will be apparent that use of the improved device of this invention is by no means confined to such employment.

One of the principal objects of advantage and importance of th device, resides in the provision of means for producing an effective and. efficient portable signal device that may be positioned in any needed location.

A still further object of importance and advantage resides in the provision of means for efficiently signalling in either daylight or darkness.

Still another and further important object of advantage resides in the provisions of means and furling and casing the flags employed on the device.

A further object of advantage and importance resides in the provision of means for maintaining the cased flags parallel to the central standard for transportation purposes or when the flags are not in use.

An additional object of importance resides in the provision of means for utilizing a battery box for the base of the device.

Additional objects of advantage and importance, some of which will be hereinafter more fully disclosed, will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a signal device which embodies the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device, portions thereof being broken away.

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral Ill indicates generally the base of the improved signal device which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a battery box. The base It! is preferably substantially square and is constructed of metal. However, it will be apparent that the base may be constructed in various shapes from any suitable material without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Removably secured to the base 19, by means of studs and nuts 12, is a standard-supporting cover I4. The cover I4 is centrally apertured to allow an electric conductor It to be passed therethrough.

Rigidly secured to the cover, preferably by welding, concentric with the aperture therein, is a tubular standard l3. It will be apparent, however, that any suitable securing means may be employed. The elements may be removably attached, one to the other, so the device may be knocked down for shipment, or to be more conveniently carried in a Vehicle.

Secured to the upper end of the tubular member, preferably by welding, is a casing 20 which is adapted to receive a light bulb 22. 'Ihecasing 28 has an operatingswitch 24 positioned therein,

as is best shown in Fig. l.

Projecting outwardly on opposed sides of the casing 20 are handles 26. The handles are adapted to be employed in removing the improved signal device of thi invention from one location to another.

Removably secured to the upper part of the casing 2!) is a mor or less conventional globe guard 28. A globe 30 is interposed between the guard 28 and the bulb 22. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a plain red globe is employed. It will be apparent, however, that a globe having colored faces and transparent sides, as indicated by the reference numeral 3|, for directing light rays on the exposed flags may be employed.

Hingedly secured to the standard I 8 on opposed sides thereof are signal flags 32. Each flag 32 is adapted to be furled and cased in a tubular casing member 34, as is clearly shown in the drawing. The tubular casing members 34 are preferably provided with bayonet slots 36 for attaching the part in association with the device. However, it will be apparent that any suitable securing means may be employed for this purpose.

Secured to the standard 3, closely adjacent the bottom thereof, is a spring clip 38 which is adapted to maintain the casing members 34 and encased flags 32 parallel to the standard I8. The flags are preferably moved to a position parallel with the standard l8, furled and cased when the device is to be removed from one location to another or when it is not in use.

- Positioned within the base In is a storage battery 4B which is adapted to furnish electric energy for illuminating the light 22. The battery 40, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, is held rigidly in the base by clamps not shown associated with the securing bolts 42'. One terminal of the battery 40 is preferably electrically grounded to the base Ill. The circuit is completed by the electric conductor l6 which extends from the other terminal of the battery 40 through the switch 24 to the light bulb 22. Where it is desired, a flashing element 44, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, may be included in the circuit.

Mounted on the base [0 and in electric connection with the battery 40, is a recharging outlet 46. The recharging outlet 46 provides a means for recharging the battery without removing it from the base.

In service, the improved device is moved to the desired location. The flags 32 are uncased and unfurled, and each flags staff is positioned at substantially right angles to the standard 18, as is best shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. When it is desired or required, the light 22 is also illuminated by manipulating the switch 24. The light may burn constantly or intermittently.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that herein is provided an efiicient and economical signal device which may be effectively employed at any time during the day or night. Moreover, the device is weather-proof and, consequently, thoroughly reliable and dependable.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided an efiicient and dependable signal device which, because of its compactness, may be carried, either assembled or knocked down, in various types of vehicles to be used when needed.

Itrwill be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the device appertains that numerous changes and alterations in construction and design may be made all without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the patent granted hereon is not to be limited to the preferred embodiment here disclosed nor in any other manner except as necessitated by the terminology of the appended claim when given the range of equivalents to which it may be entitled.

We claim as our invention:

In a portable signal device, a base, a tubular standard secured to and extending upwardly from said base, a light supporting member secured to the upper end of said standard, a pair of handles secured to said light supporting member, said handles being positioned on opposed sides of said member, a pair of flagstafls pivotally secured to said tubular standard intermediate said base and said light supporting member, a flag secured to each fiagstafl, a tubular member adapted to encase each flag and flagstafi", said tubular members being secured to the base of its associated flagstafi, and a pair of spring clips secured to said standard at a point below said fiagstafi securing point and in vertical alignment therewith, said spring clips providing means for maintaining said fiagstaffs and cased flags in vertical traveling position. I

THOMAS J. FINLEY. EDWARD J. BURKE. 

